Letters To The Editor

December 05, 1993

YORK BOARD CAVED IN

Citizens of York County received yet another "wake-up call" when the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on Nov. 18 to rezone 25 acres at Kiln Creek from commercial to residential. As in other cases where citizens' views were ignored, this action totally disregarded the recommendations of the county staff, the Planning Commission, the York County Business Association and other citizens who spoke knowledgeably and persuasively against the rezoning.

With such overwhelming opposition to the zoning change, supervisors, who caved in to the muscle of the prominent and influential developer, should be held accountable for their actions.

Before the vote, Supervisors Dennis Gardner and Paul Garman gave a brief and shallow explanation for their decisions and then followed the leadership of Chairman Jere Mills, whose explanation came even after a citizen's challenge regarding a possible conflict of interest. Although Mills stated that he had not had any business dealings with the developer for about six months and that the commonwealth's attorney had advised him no conflict of interest existed at the time of his decision, we would like to know why, even if only from an ethical standpoint, he didn't take the prudent course of action and abstain from voting.

In building a case for his decision, Mills, in many ways, echoed the voice of the developer's attorney, Newport News Councilman Joe Frank. He gave little definitive or factual information to support his views. Was there something else behind his move?

With about 80 percent of York County zoned residential, there is a serious lack of a sound commercial base to support the normal functions of county government. Therefore, each acre of commercial land becomes a precious commodity to be viewed for its long-term value. The county can ill afford to sacrifice a single acre.

Robert S. Walker Jr.

York County

PLAY SANTA

For the 12th consecutive year the International Seamen's Friend House at 128 32nd St. is planning to play Santa Claus and deliver "Christmas Love Gifts" to foreign seamen and U.S. Navy personnel away from home and loved ones. We are planning gifts for 400 to 500 people the week of Dec. 20-24, with Santa welcoming visitors the entire five days.

Regular items needed besides financial support are magazines and jigsaw puzzles, which foreign seamen cherish. We are not entitled to United Way funding or any other kind of financial assistance. Without the generosity of individuals, churches, business and civic organizations, we could not continue to remain open.

The center is open from 2 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday. It is closed on Saturday. For more information call 247-6113, 247-0241, 247-0757 and 247-0758.

David B. Hartman

President, Board of Directors

Hampton

PAPER CHASTISED

I think it is time for the Daily Press to give the Peninsula Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals a rest. You have taken a sad situation and tried to create a tabloid frenzy. Having a topic like this for your Sunday "Sound Off" was pathetic.

I have been associated with humane societies on both the local and state level for almost 20 years and consequently have been at many meetings and conferences with Dr. Suzanne Jenkins of the state Health Department. Jenkins makes her decisions based on research in both the human and animal fields. Her comments on this case matched those of the chief of tuberculosis research at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Why not stress the information given out by these well-qualified people rather than comments from poorly informed and unknowledgeable sources?

The worst was the column by Desonta Holder in the Nov. 28 Local section. She leveled criticism at concerned callers to the SPCA by saying they probably never contributed anything to people. How would she know?

She also had to include her thoughts on abortion and a variety of other subjects that had nothing to do with this situation.

Anne Gowdey

Gloucester

CHEERS FOR INROADS

I am writing to congratulate you for your inRoads section, which comes in the paper on Fridays. I think inRoads is a very good addition to your paper and I know other people enjoy it also.

The inRoads section provides valuable information about entertainment, movies, restaurants, music and other social and cultural aspects of Hampton Roads. I especially like Venom Line, a fun way to let people in the area communicate with each other.

Some people dislike inRoads and say that it's inappropriate and Venom Line is the worst part. I think they are totally wrong and inRoads is great.

Anyone who doesn't like inRoads can throw it away or just not read it. It is important to have a part of the paper that young people can enjoy and state their own opinions.

Kate Rawson

Williamsburg

PRAISE FOR CAREY

Thanks, Police Chief Jay Carey, for taking the time to answer the cheap shot Jim Spencer took at you. I wonder how he would have reacted if the kids were painting his car instead of street signs.

When it comes to caring for our city, we will take one Carey to 100 Jim Spencers. Maybe a thousand.